Drive on for four

But football crowds dropping back compared to hurling

Dublin can edge to within 70 minutes of four-in-a-row history this evening.

But for the first time this decade, their All-Ireland SFC semi-final won't be witnessed by a virtual full-house.

Attendance estimates for their Croke Park date with Galway have varied between 60,000 and 65,000, while GAA HQ is anticipating a crowd of 55,000 for tomorrow's second semi-final between Tyrone and Monaghan (3.30).

If those figures prove on the money, it will be the first time since 2009 - when Dublin weren't involved - that com bined hurling semi-final attendances have exceeded football's last-four total.

This year's epic SHC semi-finals attracted 125,264 to Croker, with crowds of 54,191 for the drawn Galway/Clare clash and a whopping 71,073 for Limerick/Cork.

The latter is the highest 2018 attendance in either code and Dublin are unlikely to beat it tonight. They have reached every semi-final since 2010 and each one has attracted over 80,000 punters.

It's debatable whether Sky Blue complacency or a lower turnout from cash-strapped Galway fans, who have a hurling final next weekend, are factors.

Jim Gavin has yet to unveil his team but has a glut of options, with the Sam Maguire holders 1/7 favourites to overcome their fellow league finalists.